On the heels of this post…

David says:

I think copyright issues are going to be the major problem - you may be able to create the open source tools [for using scripture], but you also need the content to make the tools worthwile.

From previous projects in the past, Zondervan has been a major pain in terms of licensing the NIV for electronic use. It’s also probably the reason that they are the most profitable division of Harper Collins.

Sadly this is the state of the scriptures’ copyrights. What I don’t get is why the publishers think this is a good strategy. I’m not about to stop buying bibles, at least not as far as I know. Media is changing, and the publishers need to get on board. I would even be willing to pay a small fee for unlimited use of the NRSV and NIV on my site. It’s just criminal to, as heptide put it, hold the word of God under copyright, at least to the detriment of its use. Copyright is fine, but don’t be a jerk about it, and certainly don’t restrict the missio dei for the sake of corporate rights.

I’m guessing that online bible copyright infringement falls under the DMCA. When a DMCA violation is detected by the copyright holder, they can issue a takedown notice (which BoingBoing refers to as a “nastygram,” which is a little perjorative, but probably often accurate). When you receive one of these, you have a certain (short) amount of time to remove the infringing material from your site.

Feel free to disagree with me as loudly as you want, but I’m wondering if a little civil disobedience is in order. I am perfectly willing to comply with any takedown notices I receive if I ever post scripture in violation of HarperCollins or any one else’s copyright. But perhaps I will just stop worrying about copyright and see what happens. Has anyone ever received a takedown notice for posting too much copyrighted scripture on their blog or church site? I seriously doubt the publishers will scour the web for infringing blogs, which probably crop up at a rate of a hundred a day, depending on how strictly you interpret the copyright policies.

The bewilderingly contradictory NIV copyright section on BibleGateway says (emphasis mine):

The NIV text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.
…
These Scriptures have been made available on the Internet for your personal use only. Any other use including, but not limited to, copying or re-posting the Scripture on the Internet is prohibited. These Scriptures may not be altered or modified in any form but must remain in their original context. These Scriptures may not be sold or otherwise offered for sale–to include online banner ads that encapsulate linkages to these Scriptures for the purpose of selling online ad space. These Scriptures are free for all online use. These Scriptures are not public domain. These Scriptures are not shareware and may not be duplicated.

So, if I understand correctly, the NIV:

1. May be quoted in electronic form up to 500 verses (as long as it’s not more than 25% of the work in which it appears - in other words, don’t rip us off to make your own study bible)
2. May be used for all personal uses
3. It may not be copied (to the clipboard?) or re-posted on the Internet

I have no way of knowing which part they mean and which part they didn’t really think about before writing.

So howsabout this: If you’re so inclined, quote scripture at will, and don’t worry about copyright unless you get a DMCA notice. If you get one, comply politely. Over time, I think Zondervan and the other copyright holders will change their attitude toward the free online use of the scriptures.

Refusing to allow blogs to copy and quote the bible is crazy. Requiring a link to any quoted scriptures is a great idea (and very easy with Mean Dean’s Scripturizer). Could you imagine if Bible verses were at the top of Google search results for words like sex? I’d think the copyright holders would appreciate the linkage. Let’s go about our business, and worry about any problems when they arise.

N.B. This post’s title is a little shout-out to James Hooten, the guy who called himself Bible Geek and got a nastygram from someone who had copyrighted the name. He changed his blog’s name, graciously I thought, but garnered a good deal of unrequested support from the blogosphere.